Georg von Speyer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Georg von Speyer
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| Born | 1500 |
| Died | June 11, 1540 |
Georg von Speyer (born 1500 in Speyer, Germany; died June 11, 1540, in Coro, Venezuela) was a German explorer and leader. He was known as a conquistador, which means a Spanish conqueror. Georg explored parts of what are now Colombia and Venezuela.
His real name was Georg Hohermuth. But he preferred to be called Georg von Speyer, after his hometown. In Spanish, he was known as Jorge de Espira. He played an important role in the history of Klein-Venedig. This was a time when the Welser banking family from Germany was given control of the Venezuela Province by Charles I of Spain. This happened between 1528 and 1546.
Contents
Early Life and First Journey
When Georg von Speyer was a young man, he started working for the Welser banking family in Augsburg, Germany. They were a very powerful and rich family. He became a trusted agent for them.
In 1528, he joined a fleet of ships sent by the Welsers. This fleet was led by Ambrosius Ehinger. Their goal was to explore and conquer new lands in what was then called New Granada. This area is now part of Colombia and Venezuela.
Becoming a Governor
After Ehinger died, Georg von Speyer returned to Europe. The Welsers were looking for young adventurers to help them settle New Granada. In 1534, Georg von Speyer was one of them.
He managed to get Charles V to name him governor of New Granada. This happened even though Nikolaus Federmann, who had been Ehinger's second-in-command, also wanted the job. Georg von Speyer then prepared a new expedition in Spain and the Canary Islands. On February 22, 1534, he landed in Coro, Venezuela.
Searching for El Dorado
Between 1535 and 1538, Georg von Speyer went on a long journey. He explored southwestern Venezuela and northern Colombia. He was searching for the legendary city of gold, known as “El Dorado.”
He was joined by Nikolaus Federmann, whom he had made his lieutenant. Their group included about 450 soldiers and 1,500 friendly native people. They started from the town of Rio Hacha. They followed a salt trade route that crossed the Andes mountains. This led them into the lands of the Chibcha people. The Chibcha had an advanced culture. Part of their land had already been explored by Jiménez de Quesada.
Challenges and Return
After traveling together for about 200 miles, Speyer and Federmann split into two groups. They planned to meet up later. Georg von Speyer's group faced many difficulties. They met hostile native groups. The soldiers were not used to marching in the hot sun. They even refused to follow orders several times.
When they reached the meeting point, Federmann was not there. The soldiers became very discouraged. But Speyer encouraged them with the hope of finding El Dorado's riches. Survivors from Ehinger's earlier trip had first told stories about this golden city.
They continued marching south. However, the rainy season began. Rivers overflowed, making it hard to move forward. Many soldiers got sick and died from fevers. Speyer kept searching for El Dorado for a long time. Finally, a huge river, possibly the Orinoco or its branch, the Apure, stopped their progress.
In early 1539, Georg von Speyer returned to Coro. He came back empty-handed. Only 80 tired and sick men were left from the large group he had started with over four years earlier.
Final Years
Because of his poor health, Georg von Speyer resigned as governor in 1539. He planned to travel to Europe to complain to the Welsers about Federmann. But in Santo Domingo, he heard that Federmann had already gone back to Spain.
The local court, called the Real Audiencia, convinced him to return to his role as governor. He died soon after returning to Coro. Georg von Speyer had written a report to Charles V from Santo Domingo. It is believed to have been published, but no copies are known to exist today.
See also
In Spanish: Jorge de Espira para niños
